Chicago shuts down surprise quarterfinalists New Orleans
Keeper Liam Zach handles the quadball for the Chicago Prowl.
The Chicago Prowl defeated the New Orleans Curse, surprise winners of the play-in bracket, on Saturday night to secure their spot in the MLQ Championship semifinals. The Prowl survived a late rally in game one to win 160-90 and shut down the Curse by a margin of 145-30 in game two after a long lightning delay.
Chicago began their Benepe Cup title quest with an energetic start against the Curse on Saturday afternoon. Making his MLQ Championship debut, US National Team chaser Darien Murcek-Ellis combined with Ben Peachey for three quick goals. As the Curse fought to stay within striking distance, the size of the New Orleans chasing corps seemed to pose problems for the Prowl. Curse head coach and chaser Ben Mertens, the league leader in assists during the regular season, was able to distribute the quadball in advantageous positions and get New Orleans to play above the rim. But the variety of weapons at the disposal of Prowl head coach Kennedy Murphy, including the passing of chaser Liam Zach, made the difference. Zach had three assists as the Prowl pulled away. The game ended without the flag runner being caught on a beautiful team goal finished by Murphy.
The Curse came out much stronger after the lightning delay in game two. New Orleans took an exhilarating 30-0 lead, with Mertens scoring the first two goals and assisting the third. Beater Josh Mansfield was making everything happen, controlling the beater game against one of the best corps in the country and floating back into the quadball game with remarkable ease and fluency. The Chicago comeback started on defense, with Murphy checking into the game and bringing her trademark intensity. Chaser Byron Ng made a key deflection on a quick rotation and the Prowl were off to the races. Chicago scored the next 145 points, pitching a shutout the rest of the game. Zach had a hat trick, Murcek-Ellis had three assists, and seeker Nojus Ausra caught the flag runner.
Chicago advances to play the Boston Forge, three-time winners of the Benepe Cup, in the semifinals at 10 am, noon, and 2 pm (if necessary). The Curse were eliminated with the loss.